The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar

This is a Quarterly Wisdom episode. Today Elena explores two foundational understandings that are essential if you want to have conversations that allow for transformational and deep connection. First, what the phrase “every conversation counts” means and how it is a core belief of every Transformational Coach. Next, what a Transformational Coach must believe about their role relative to their coachee and what we often see getting in the way of that being a reality. This episode is for you if:You are committed to being a Transformational Coach Your conversations sometimes feel transactionalYou find yourself giving a lot of advice or telling people what to do more than you’d like...or think you should be in your coaching conversations Click here for show notes, including everything mentioned in this episode Friends of the Podcast 

 our final week on break from recording new episodes we’re replaying one of our favorite mini-episodes from Elena’s How to Feel Better program. Earlier this spring we aired daily episodes for this four week program and today we’re bringing you one that is relevant all year long: How to Make Changes that Last. If you’re looking to make behavioral changes in pursuit of the life you want to live, this is the episode you need today. While the program has concluded, you can access all episodes and the weekly guides at any time by signing up here.  

In this repeat of this  mini-episode Elena walks you through the second Feel Better exercise in the How to Feel Better Week 2 Program Guide: “Reflect on Last Year" as we journey through week 2 in the four week program. Sign-up for the (free!) How to Feel Better 4-week program

 We’re taking a short summer break on the podcast. Over the next three weeks we’ll be replaying a few of our favorite mini-episodes from Elena’s How to Feel Better program. Earlier this spring we aired daily episodes for this four week program and today we’re bringing you one that is relevant everyday: How am I Feeling? While the program has concluded, you can access all episodes and the weekly guides at any time by signing up here.  Sign-up for the (free!) Feel Better program here. 

This is a different type of episode, one where we unpack a coaching conversation. If you listened in on Monday, you know Elena coached a white leader around working across lines of racial difference, specifically around where to draw a line in cross-racial relationships when behavior has become problematic. It is possible to create boundaries with cultural competence and humility, yet too often that doesn’t happen. Oftentimes the approach skews to dominance or things running amok. Both of these are failures of leadership. In this episode, Elena and her Bright Morning teammate LesLee Bickford dive into the challenge of white leaders striving to work against white supremacy culture while still providing the leadership needed to run healthy teams where everyone is able to thrive. Listen in to explore what matters most in these complex and critical situations and hear an example of what it might sound like to open up the conversation with your teammate when you are expressing your concerns. Full show notes, including everything mentioned on the show can be found here.Sign-up for Elena’s Newsletter and Exclusive Resources (sign up!) Mentioned in This Episode | Newsletter and Exclusive Resources (sign up!) The Art of Coaching Teams (book by Elena)Continued Learning Coaching for Equity The Art of Coaching Teams 

This is a coaching episode. Today Elena coaches a school leader, who identifies as white, as she considers how she wants to lead through ongoing interracial conflict with one of her team members. This conversation illuminates many pressing questions for conversation, including when you draw a line between creating space for people to speak their truth and enabling a toxic work environment.This episode is for you if: You are interested in exploring issues of race, equity and working across lines of racial difference You benefit from observing and analyzing coaching conversations to grow your own coaching toolkit  Mentioned in this Episode:Newsletter and Exclusive Resources (sign up!) The Art of Coaching Teams (book by Elena)The Art of Coaching Workbook (retired July 2024 with the release of Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching)Indicators of Trust in Schools (tool from The Art of Coaching Teams)  InstagramTwitterLinkedIn Continued Learning:Coaching for Equity The Art of Coaching Teams 

Today’s episode is the first of its kind, designed to provide you with some of the benefits of working with your own Transformational Coach. We’re calling these the “Coaches’ Corner,” during which Elena expertly holds the space and provides you with prompts for reflection. Grab your notebook and something to write with; today it’s time to design your summer of learning. Over the next thirty minutes you will: Get clear on your needs and desiresIdentify the conditions necessary for you to thrive Be guided through the three principles to uncover your “what” It’s time to get ready for a transformational summer! Full show notes, including everything mentioned on the show can be found here. Start your Bright Morning All-Inclusive and All-Inclusive+ memberships today and receive four months of group coaching with Elena! Mentioned in This Episode Bright Morning All-Inclusive and All-Inclusive+ memberships (includes summer group coaching!) 

 This is a Behind the Design Episode, the first in its kind that pulls back the curtain on the decisions we make to create the conditions for transformation. Today Elena applies the five habits necessary for all conversations and learning spaces where our goal is to connect, reflect and honor growth to end-of-year conversation. This episode is for you if: You’re looking to grow your design and facilitation toolkit You will be leading end-of-year conversationsYou want to support others in engaging emotions and would benefit from some expert tips in how to skillfully do so Click here for show notes, including everything mentioned in the episode. Mentioned in This Episode Artful Design and Facilitation (renamed The PD Workshop)

This is a “What Do You Say When…” episode, the first of its kind designed to explore some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from coaches and managers looking to support others in those moments when they feel stuck. On today’s episode, Elena pulls back the curtain on how she thinks about and responds to the common refrain of, “I don’t know how…” This episode is for you if: You’re curious how “I don’t know how…” is the sign of a powerful awareness on the part of your client You appreciate mental models and want to hear the three paths Elena considers going down when this refrain pops up in her coaching conversations You are quick to offer solutions but have noticed that your client is often hesitant to take them, or they don’t seem to solve for the issue at play Click here for show notes, including everything mentioned in this episode. Mentioned in This EpisodeNewsletter sign-up Mind the Gap Bright Morning social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram 

This is a coaching tool episode. Today Elena takes you behind the scenes to explore how and why she uses the confrontational stance in her coaching conversations. This stance was used repeatedly in episode 67, so we suggest listening in to that coaching conversation if you haven’t already. This episode is for you if: You could benefit from a quick primer on the difference between facilitative and directive coaching  You’re curious about the 5 things taking a confrontational stance can accomplish You want to hear more about what goes into being successful when utilizing the confrontational stance Click here for show notes, including everything mentioned in the episode. Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Art of Coaching (retired July 2024 with the release of Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching)The Art of Coaching Workbook (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)The Coaching Stance Activity (download) Bright Morning Memberships